"Brother Ron... This sister is so pitiful! We're letting her go, right?"
In the street, Ron walked in front with his hands behind his back. Behind him, Nami spun a fabricated tale of a miserable life to Kaya. Kaya's compassionate nature was touched, and she couldn't help but plead with Ron.
Ron stopped and looked back at the seemingly innocent Nami, whose face instantly transformed from cunning to a twitching expression. Nami did have a bit of cleverness in her. Although her life was undoubtedly tough, what kind of fantastical life story was she weaving?
According to her, she had no parents, lived a life of picking up garbage since childhood, endured daily beatings on the street, and survived by resorting to theft...
The most surprising part? Kaya genuinely believed it!
"Don't pay attention to her nonsense!" Ron glanced at Nami's pretty face and stated, "If you dare to steal from me, it won't be so easy to get off the hook."
"Hey... I already gave you your money back, so let me go!" Nami put on a pitiful expression, pretending to sob. "I promise I'll never steal again!"
"You can save it" Ron ignored her and turned away.
Kaya sighed, continuing to comfort Nami behind him. "Don't be afraid. Brother Ron is a good person. If he's in a good mood, he'll probably let you go!"
Nami didn't say anything in response. She suspected this guy was captivated by her natural beauty and cuteness, wanting to bring her on board to be at his beck and call. Well, she wouldn't give in!
Ron proceeded to a tailor's shop, approached the owner, and requested the creation of a pirate flag.
Upon hearing it was for a pirate flag, the shop owner didn't dare to be careless. Soon, a flag was made with a golden sword and skull, with a tangled red rose. Ron inspected it with satisfaction.
After compensating the owner, Ron took the pirate flag and left with the two girls.
Observing the pirate flag in Ron's hand, Nami turned pale. It was over; this guy was a pirate. She was truly finished.
After some shopping, Ron returned to the ship with Kaya and Nami.
Tashigi had already purchased a large amount of food and water, which had been delivered to the ship. Ron and the others returned just in time to see the delivery guy leaving.
"Huh? Who is this?" Tashigi looked at Nami and asked. "A thief!" Ron said casually.
Nami looked at Tashigi innocently. She opened her mouth to refute Ron's evaluation, but being caught stealing didn't leave much room for argument. she stole, and she got caught. How could she justify it?
"Sister Tashigi, I bought a lot of delicious food, come see!" Kaya handed some snacks to Tashigi and after a moment's thought she shared some with Nami.
"Thank you!" Nami thanked her politely.
Meanwhile, Ron had already climbed onto the sails, hung the pirate flag, and, after descending from the deck, observed the flag fluttering in the wind, nodding with satisfaction.
"Is this our pirate flag?" Kaya, looking at the flag, asked, "What's the name of our pirate group?"
"Sword and Rose Pirates!" Ron smiled. "What do you think of the name?"
"Nice name!" Kaya nodded.
"Sword and rose...," Nami muttered, a black line forming on her forehead. "This name is too long..."
"Huh?" Ron glanced at her, and Nami quickly changed her tune. "No, no, this name is excellent—very domineering and powerful!"
"Hmmm!" Ron smiled with satisfaction.
Tashigi had no comment on this, finding it a bit challenging to have herself a navy lieutenant comment on the name of a pirate crew.
"Now that we've finished replenishing our supplies, let's start sailing!" Ron waved his hand and gave the order.
"Hey! Let me go!" Nami quickly shouted upon hearing this, "I don't want to follow you; I returned all the money. Let me go!"
"No!" Ron said emphatically. "You stole my money, that's a fact. As punishment, you have to stay on the ship for a while. When I feel the punishment has passed, I'll let you go."
Upon hearing this, Nami gritted her teeth and glared at Ron, a look of disbelief on her face.
"What? Want to fight?" Ron looked at Nami with a smile. "Let me tell you, I'm a pirate with a bounty of thirty million Baileys. Not to mention fighting, you can't even escape under my watchful eyes. Hurry up and get to work. If you don't work, you don't eat."
"Work?" Nami exclaimed. "I don't want to work!"
"Then you'll go hungry!" Ron grinned, ignored her, and took Tashigi and Kaya with him. He steered the Going Merry to leave the dock and continue sailing toward the open sea.
"That wretched guy...," Nami mumbled, touching her belly. "Well, pretending to be obedient for now and finding an opportunity to escape later."
So Nami, for now, had to become a temporary member of the Sword and Rose pirate crew to fill her stomach so she started working!